Simplified: A brand new housing development in northeast Sioux Falls will bring eight twin-homes and a total of 16 housing units. Here's what you need to know about the latest development project from Habitat for Humanity.
Why it matters
- Habitat for Humanity helps connect people with safe, affordable housing through construction and renovation projects. This is Habitat's second housing development, and the groundbreaking takes place as its first development – Millard Acres, with 13 twin homes, also in northeast Sioux Falls – is on track for completion by the end of the year.
- Cliffview Heights, located kitty-corner from St. Michael's Cemetery off of North Cliff Avenue, is expected to have eight twin-homes upon completion. The project broke ground Tuesday in a celebration attended by Mayor Christine Erickson and other community and industry leaders.
- Habitat secured the funds for the land and infrastructure Cliffview Heights, but the nonprofit still needs to raise funds for building the homes themselves – an estimated $3.8 million project when it's all said and done.
"We're tackling this project just on faith," Welker said. "We are confident that we're going to find partners in Sioux Falls that are going to come and walk along side us to make this dream a reality for 16 more families."
Tell me more
Habitat for Humanity is relatively new to the development game. Historically, they'd add on affordable homes to help in-fill new housing developments across town. But most new developments today have requirements and covenants that are too cost-prohibitive for an affordable unit, Habitat Executive Director Rocky Welker said.
- For example, a new housing development may require homes to have a three-stall garage – something that essentially rules out any chance of affordability for a Habitat for Humanity home.
This project is also receiving support from the City of Sioux Falls by way of a $160,000, zero-interest loan that'll be forgiven over time as soon as the homes are built, Erickson said.
What happens next?
Applications for the 16 affordable housing units will open Oct. 1, and then it's a matter of fundraising and putting in the work to build the homes.
- Welker noted that every year when the application window opens, Habitat receives 80+ applications and can only select about 10.
Folks interested in supporting Habitat can find more about volunteer and donation options on the nonprofit's website.
